PORT - Portland art + news + reviews

MOCA

Tyler's post on MOCA's fate is the must read art news post of the month. He's right, in my mind MOCA has supplanted The Walker, The Guggenheim and The Whitney as the world's most cutting-edge art museum programmatically. Speaking of cultural mergers, I don't think the Guggenheim is in any position to merge with them as their LA satellite.

Overall, with a dwindling endowment and no recent expansion or capital campaigns one wonders at the strange lack of ambition in LA (a place with no shortages of such). Here's the LA Times on the subject. I might add more to this later today, but it is uber-odd that such a major institution would be facing such last ditch decisions... of course cultural institutions should raise alarms when they are in trouble but if they look confused it doesn't help. It does help that MOCA's progamming warrants saving.

Finally, there will be a new ...

Starting with MERGE at the University of Oregon. Their Adell McMillan Gallery is seeking submissions for a combined film and art exhibition exploring mixed and/or multi media genres. In addition to the month-long show, the gallery will feature a one night screening to give audiences the chance to "experience and interact" with new experimental film. Submissions of film or mixed media work (very broadly defined) are due by December 17, and you can get the full lowdown here...

Jiro Yonezawa, "Araumi"

Jiro Yonezawa's Dream Weaver is on view in the pavilion at the Japanese Gardens through November 30. Traditionally trained in bamboo arts in Beppu, Japan, Yonezawa lived and worked for many years outside of Portland before his recent return to Japan. His bamboo basketry and sculpture combine a mastery of traditional forms with a unique, elegant contemporary sensibility.

Exhibition • November 15 - 30
Japanese Gardens • 611 SW Kingston Avenue • Garden Pavilion

Allora & Calzadilla, still from "Under Discussion," from "Beyond Green" at Lewis & Clark

Next week: Stephanie Smith, director of collections and exhibitions and curator of contemporary art at the Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, will speak at PSU. Smith, who has published and curated widely on issues of art and sustainability, curated Beyond Green: Toward a Sustainable Art, originally exhibited at the Smart Museum, currently on view at Lewis & Clark's Hoffman Gallery.

Lecture • 7:30pm • November 17
PSU • 1914 SW Park • Shattuck Hall Room 212